Aldon Smith is a fantastic linebacker. One of the best in the game right now. Many are comparing him to a young Ray Lewis. And the description is apt. They are equal in stature, equal in intensity, equal in ferocity, and equal in their passion for the game of football. However, there appeaers to be another comparison that they are closing in on. And that is geting into trouble. The 22 year old Smith so far this year has been busted in Fla for DUI, and more recently he was stabbed at a party he threw at his house in Santa Clara. He said he was breaking up a fight, but it was obvious he put himself into a situation that could have ended much worse. As with Ray Lewis, and his avoidance of murder charges, Smith is on a trajectory that isn’t heading in the right direction.
Before Smith was drafted, there were concerns about his maturity. He was a model citizen his first season, and hadn’t done much to raise any eyebrows until Junuary and the DUI arrest. Granted, living under the scrutiny of a 24/7/365 news cycle that picks everything to pieces, 2 incidents in the span of 5 months is a bit troubling. If I was living under that kind of microscope when I was 22, I’d have been considered a menace to society. I didn’t lead a very smart life at 22, but on the other hand, I didn’t have much at stake, nor did I have the leaches, hangers-on, and scammers that are attracted to a young wealthy football player. Sure, it’s a fine line between being a young guy having a good time, and someone who is a danger to himself or others. The past 10 years are littered with stories of guys getting accused of rape, getting rolled in Vegas, domestic violence, DUI, assualt, on and on.
Smith’s wounds are apparently superficial, but it sure seems like he’s not doing a very good job of managing his shit. Which is what this all comes down to. When you’re in college, and you are top dog, you are in a fairly insulated situation, with people around you who are for the most part other college students. Out in the real world, there are plenty of people on the hunt to make a buck off your ass. Get yourself a nice entourage and you invite shit like what went down with Ray Lewis after the 2000 Super Bowl. You can end up in the can on murder charges. Go out flashing your bling at strip clubs and you can end up like Javon Walker of the Raiders. Robbed, beaten, bloody, and unconscious in the streets of Vegas. Your $20,000 worth of bling you were flashing earlier gone.
So, as comparisons go, Smith is a bright young talent on the edge of what looks like a no-brainer Hall of Fame career. As was Ray Lewis back in 2000 when he was convicted of murder. Smith HAS to understand that continuing down this path of stupidity could derail his life in the blink of an eye.
San Francisco 49ers Forever 
He’s just a kid. He happens to play football. A few stabbings, a few knife wounds later perhaps he grew a little.
And I forgot the bullets flying about. Just your average party in today’s hectic world.
In honor of Andy Griffith’s passing away, here’s one of his old comedy routines . . .
Yeah, I think the thought of possibly spending the rest of his life in jail gave Lewis a wake-up call.
Let’s hope Aldon can come to the same conclusion quick-like.
If Aldon is going to be the next Ray, can I nominate who he should murder?
Yer number one with a bullet, Dennis.
No, you cannot nominate anybody DM
I heard on KNBR this afternoon that the folks that live on Aldon’s block are none too happy. This apparently wasn’t the first time police were called when personal privacy and noise statutes were violated. I had planned on going to law school myself.
The world needs ditch diggers, too.
And shit shoveling is badly needed at the Dennis Stables where hard work is mostly ignored for better pursuits such as a libation or two.
I’m out for the next day point five, so keep it real, or clean, or whatever the fuck it is you do here . . .
Happy 4th of July ! !
In honor of that, I’m going to drink and blow things up for two days.
Our man Chuck: reasonable, sensible, fuckin’ great! Enjoy…
I’d like to give the young man hell, but he’s only 22. I’d like to say that I woulda known better at that age, but I didn’t. Given that kind of $$$, instant success and celebrity status I’m sure his head and ego grew 100x. As would all of ours not with a “St.” before our names. Thing now is to see if Aldon can learn from his mistakes and move forward. He’s already ahead of the game. He should be counting his blessings he’s not seriously injured and/or dead at the moment.
Fans may be hard on him now, but all will be forgotten when Aldon records his first sack of the year. Such is life in football.
Exactamente Del Mar. Such is football, yep. Glad the young man wasn’t seriously injured. Hey Aldon “Don’t try so hard, we already loved you!”
His first sacka the year will be on Aaron Rogers 9/9 on the not so frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. If our boys do not win that game 27-24 they will be fighting until the last referee swallows his whistle.
Frankly the refs should go out and STAY OUT. Fuck them.
Oh and Happy Birthday USA!
(and Dennis manana>>>)
Thanks for the B-Day greeting, Phil. Helpful hint from Del Mar: Don’t play the ponies on your birthday. Or the lotto. Or the slots. Or any casino table games. Or anything at the sportsbook. Or church B-I-N-G-O. Or poker. Or Jai alai. Or even Three-card Monte just because it’s your birthday. Your luck isn’t any better.
Now if you’ll please excuse me, I have to get down on the 8th at Belmont then run up the street to the liquor store for some more beer and lottery scratchers. If I have any luck at all, I’ll get hit by a bus on the way up. 😀
Yeah I’ll follow yer advice Denny and avoid gambling- fact is I’m a piss poor gambler and I know it. The wildest I’m liable to be is going mano-a-mano against youse and that villain Berger in da fantasy football leagues. It’s hardly gambling but in the pre-season like right now I have a chance to hurl insults and beat my chest like any good fan would. Wind up with egg on my face by the 4th game of the season? So? I’m living for today like any gambler. You soppy bowelful of putrefying coyote snot
BTW how much did ya lose?
I don’t like to use the term “losing.” I prefer to say it’s a temporary investment that’s yet to pay dividends. As Judge Smails aptly said, “Well. (I’m) waiting…”
Now That’s optimism !
Happyy 4th all.
To all lets imbibe in peace.
Hope you all had a good hoilday people
Very nice. Spent a couple day in Napa with some friends.
Heading off to LaSelva beach this weekend for 5 days. Can’t wait.
Back in the mid-Sixties before Chuck was outta diapers I used to cruise over the hill on weekends from USC (Santa Clara) in my ’55 Chevy and later my ’62 Volvo 122 sedan. Destination? La Selva Beach. My esteemed colleagues (AKA fellow party folks) would load up a gallon of Red Mountain vino or some shit from Boone’s Farm, pack a baggie of Primo Mexicano, grab a couple chicks and….try very hard Not To Drown in the break at La Selva. Somehow we all survived except for the hangovers. Even the chicks. Bonfires, music, sex, drugs, rock n roll, body surfing. For a pack of crazy kids we had our fun!
The worst was when the off duty Highway Patrol man saw us hoopin’ and hollering in a gas station in Santa Clara and made us pour out a perfectly good gallon of Gallo into the gutter. Horrors! Somehow we survived…
Couple yeahs ago I went back there (2007…with a chick, he bragged…) and drove around. It’s not changed one bit. Same railroad bridge over the gully (no trains I bet), same wicked surf on occasion. Same houses. .But no Red Mountain, no seeds and stems. But the chick was nice for a minute.
Nipper, just for today I’m putting aside my usual allotment of Budweiser and am drinking, you guessed it, Dos Equis XX. XX Lager Especial to be exact.
Dos Equis was created in Mexico in 1897 by a German brew master, who blended his brewing heritage with the spirit of Mexican traditions. Originally called Siglo XX to celebrate the arrival of the 20th century. It later became known as just Dos Equis or simply two XXs in Spanish. Dos Equis lager Especial is a crisp and golden lager from Mexico with just the right balance of flavor and refreshment.
He was told to leave the room when Picasso was painting the Mona Lisa, because she kept smiling too much at him.
Cheers!
Now where’s my ice?
I like my beer a little darker. Always liked the Xmas stuff Dos Equis puts out, Noche Buena. Also Modelo Negra. And microbrew porters.
Spanish culture heritage: “Noche Buena”, the Night Before Chrixstmas is greatly celebrated here with feasting and visits from family friends. Philippines being a former colony of Espain for 300 yeahs.
Come to think of it a little cerveza might jest come in handy…
Imbibe greatly!
I do not always drink beer, my friends, but when I do: I drink whatever good is on sale.
Stay thirsty…
Your ice? Right here my friend….
Stay Thirsty is running Saturday in the Suburban Handicap as part of a Todd Pletcher entry. I like the #6 horse, Mucho Macho Man myself. But I envision a 1-6 Exacta box in my future.
Good luck, cheers and did we sign Peyton Manning yet?
His name is ALEX!
Yes we did. Enjoy your time in hell, birthday boy . . .
Hey I got a football related question: Anybody know when the QBs (and the rookies) report later this month? It’s a couple days before Camp opens on the 26th I read somewhere. 18 days until camp opens but maybe we hear a few things earlier that week about the rooks and QBS?
I notice Del Mar avoids answering the question: What would ya do if Alex wins the Big One for us?” This is likely a prospect too grim to contemplate sober or otherwise.
Dennis sober? When?
Thursday, July 12: NFL supplemental draft, 10 a.m. (Eligible players are Boise State DB Quaylon Ewing, Utah WR Josh Gordon, Syracuse RB Adam Harris, Iowa State OT Adrian Haughton, Carson-Newman LB Larry Lumpkin, Georgia DE Montez Robinson, McMurray WR Houston Tuminello and TCU RB Ed Wesley.)
Monday, July 16: Franchise player signing deadline. After this date, Dashon Goldson, the 49ers’ franchise player, can only sign the one-year, $6.212 million deal with the 49ers and would not be allowed to negotiate a multi-year contract until after the final 2012 regular-season game.
Saturday, July 21: 49ers rookies and selected veterans report for training camp, Santa Clara.
Monday, July 23: First practice for 49ers rookies and selected veterans, Santa Clara.
Thursday, July 26: Veterans report for 49ers training camp, Santa Clara.
Friday, July 27: First 49ers full-squad practice, Santa Clara.
Tuesday, Aug. 7: Deadline for players under contract to report to their clubs to earn an accrued season.
Friday, Aug. 10: Exhibition game vs. Minnesota, 6 p.m.
GO NINERS! And thank you PHIL FAN!
Thanks for the update, Phil, and the La Selva stories. Yeah, back in the day, Manresa was a dirt patch that fit about 5 microbuses, and the trek to the beach was down a windy dirt path under the trestle. Now it’s a giant state beach that stretches for 4 miles and has camping and shit.
New post ………………………………………..